When I was in 5th grade, my mom surprised us girls with these beautiful "hostess gowns", as she called them. They were stretchy and shiney and I thought we looked so gorgeous wearing them. As it turned out, my 5th grade class was going to go to a big regional choir fest, with many schools involved. I wanted to look my most glorious so I decided to wear my "gown". Elaine told me not to as they were just really pajamas but I refused to listen. Mom backed me up and suggested I borrow one of her many wide belts and cinch it around my waist for the more dressed up look. Shunning Elaine's advice, I went forward to the concert feeling like a princess. My best friend saw my gown and kind of gave me a weird look but I just figured it was because she was jealous - she was just wearing regular clothes. We entered the auditorium and there were crowds of people around. I was so excited, knowing I looked my finest. All of a sudden, I heard this group of girls giggling. I turned just in time to see them pointing at me and saying, "Look at that girl! She's wearing a night gown!" My face flamed. My best friend tried to act as if she didn't hear it and then whispered to me that I looked really pretty - but I knew that she was feeling my pain....the shame, the shame - wearing a night gown to a public concert. My face burns even now...36 yrs later......
